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Singh inching closer to world top 50

In-form Jeev Milkha Singh of India has taken another giant step towards the top-50 in the Official World Golf Ranking after his win at the Casio World Open in Japan on Sunday.

Singh, who has been in irrepressible form this season with earlier victories on the Asian and European Tours, moved eight places up to 55th on the latest ranking following his maiden triumph on the Japan Golf Tour.

A top-50 place by the end of the year will see Singh earn a dream invite into the US Masters, the year's first Major, next April.

"I was hoping to break into the top-50 this week but it looks like I will have some more work to do," said Singh.

He will have two more events to play this year, this week's Japan Nippon Series JT Cup and the Asian Tour's season-finale, the Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok from December 14-17.

Singh is on sizzling form as he had previously won the Volvo China Open in April and the Volvo Masters in Spain in October. Two weeks ago, the 34-year-old Indian wrapped up a career first Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit title with a joint third finish at the UBS Hong Kong Open. Apart from his three titles, Singh has also registered 14 other top-10s in Asia, Japan and Europe.

"I've now won on three different Tours this season, it can't get any better than this. God has been good to me. It's been a perfect year. My goal over the next two tournaments is to play well enough to get into the top-50 in the world," said Singh, who has also qualified for his first British Open appearance next July.

Compatriot Jyoti Randhawa, the Hero Honda Indian Open winner, has moved up the ranking as he is now 80th in the world. Korea’s Hur Suk-ho is in 86th place while Englishman Simon Dyson, who won the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open this year, is a rung below.

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who finished tied third at the UBS Hong Kong Open, is ranked 100th while Australia’s Andrew Buckle, who is fourth on the UBS Order of Merit, is now ranked 102nd.

Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju remains as the highest ranked Asian in 28th spot while compatriot Yang Yong-eun, winner of the HSBC Champions in Shanghai where he beat a stellar field that included world number one Tiger Woods, is ranked 35th.

The other Asian Tour stalwarts in the world's top-200 include Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand (162nd), Chinese top golfer Liang Wen-chong (163rd), India’s Shiv Kapur (171st), Thai Thaworn Wiratchant (174th), American Edward Loar (178th), Aussie youngster Jarrod Lyle (185th) and Chinese Taipei’s Wang Ter-chang (192nd).

November 28, 2006